The Indianapolis 500 race is scheduled for May 24, 2009 at 1:00 p.m., but the festivities start May 1st and don’t stop in the twenty four days leading up to the race. Really fabulous family fun awaits at reasonable prices as it all leads up to the big race on May 24th. Here is the official Indianapolis 500 schedule:
On Friday, May 1st The Balloon Festival, which is free, begins with the Evening Balloon Glow from 8 to 9 p.m. The gates open at 7 p.m.
On Saturday, May 2nd the Indianapolis 500 Founders Race takes place at 7:30 a.m. Public gates open at 6 p.m. and there is live entertainment, wine tasting, the Evening Balloon Glow at 8:00 p.m. and the fireworks at 9 p.m.
Sunday, May 3rd brings the Indianapolis 500 100 Years Race that starts at 7:30 a.m. and the public gates open at 7 a.m.
Tuesday, May 5th is the Indianapolis 500 Rookie Orientation Program which is free and open to the public at 9:00 a.m. and the Firestone Indy Lights Practice takes place until 2 p.m.
Wednesday, May 6th is the Indianapolis 500 Opening Day. Gates are open at 9 a.m. and entrance is $5, the Rookie Orientation continues from the prior day until 2 pm. and the Indianapolis 500 Practice then starts until 6 p.m.
Thursday, May 7th is another Indianapolis 500 Practice day with gates open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and the practice from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Friday, May 8th is Fast Friday and admission is $5 at the gate which opens at 8 a.m. Indianapolis 500 Practice is from 12:00 to 6 p.m. and the Indianapolis 500 Pole Day Qualifying Draw is at 6 p.m.
Saturday May 9 is Pole Day at the Indianapolis and admission is $10 for the day starting at 7:00 a.m. There are practice laps from 9 to 11:00 a.m. and then the Indianapolis 500 Qualifying runs for positions one through eleven happen from 12:00 – 6:00 p.m. At 6:00 p.m. the PEAK Pole Award will be presented by an AutoZone representative.
Sunday, May 10th is the Second Qualifying Day for the Indianapolis 500 and practice rounds start at 10:15 and go until 11:15 a.m. The Indianapolis 500 Qualifying round for positions twelve through 22 are from 12:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Thursday, May 14th and Friday, May 15th are Practice days for the Indianapolis 500 drivers. Gates open both days at 9:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. and admission is $5. The drivers practice from 12:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Saturday, May 16th is the Third Qualifying day for the Indianapolis 500 and gates are open from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., entrance fee is $10. Indianapolis 500 practice laps are from 10:15-11:15a.m., and the Indianapolis 500 Qualifications for position 23 through 33 last from 12:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Sunday, May 17 brings the Armed Forces Day to the Indianapolis 500 as qualifying continues for the rest of the field. Times are the same as they were on Saturday.
Wednesday, May 20th is the American Family Insurance 500 Festival Community Day. Gates open at 9:00 a.m. and entrance is $7, children under six are free.
Thursday, May 21st is Firestone Freedom 100 Practice, Qualifying and it is free all day from 9:00 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Firestone Indy Lights Practice times are 9:30-10:30 a.m. and 12:30-1:30 p.m. The Firestone Indy Lights Qualifying is from 3-4 p.m.
Friday, May 22 is full of events as it is Miller Lite Carb Day, admission is $10 and gates are open from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. The Indianapolis 500 Practice is from 11 a.m-12 p.m. and the Firestone Freedom 100 Pre-Race starts at 12:00 p.m. with the race starting at 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. The Indianapolis 500 Pit Stop Challenge is from 1:30-3 p.m. Starting at 3:30 p.m. festivities kick off for the Miller Lite Carb Day Concert which will have 3 Doors Down there to perform.
Saturday, May 23rd there is no activity on the Indianapolis 500 track. But there is the Indianapolis 500 Starting Field Autograph Session at Pagoda Plaza from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. And in downtown Indianapolis is the IPL 500 Festival Parade at 12:00 p.m.
Sunday, May 24th is the big day and gates open at 6:00 a.m. and tickets start at $20. The Indianapolis 500 Race begins at 1:00 p.m.
